The Odyssey

by Joanne Mattern (Retold by), Homer

A retelling of Homer's epic that describes the adventures of the hero Odysseus as he encounters many monsters and other obstacles on his journey home from the Trojan War.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Classics, Mythology, Middle Grade, Dogs, Animals

128 pages, Paperback

Published February 23, 1996

About the author

Mattern is the author of many books for children. Her favorite topics include animals, biography, and history. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, Wishbone was just so good. So good. This is easily digestible to introduce kids to the classic epic, but still remains just as fun for adults. I loved these when I was the target age, and I still do. Granted, some of it is probably nostalgia and having Wishbone's voice in my head while reading (not to mention the cute illustrations of him on almost every page!), but part of it is that they just did a great job of making these fun and interesting for kids and adults alike to read, while still making them easy enough for kids to cut their teeth on. I miss quality programming and books like these. It made a great palate cleanser for me after Dune, as well as being a trip down nostalgia lane.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story: My copy of this book came from a eBay lot--that is, a set of multiple items bought together from that website--and this specific one formerly belonged to a school library...in Ontario! Used bookstores don't accept ex-library items, so, now that I'm done with it, I'll just donate mine to a thrift store...and who knows where it'll end up after that?

As for the book itself, it was a fun adaptation of an age-old story. Wishbone fans know what to expect from these novels, and that's what you get here. As a longtime advanced reader, I would suggest reading the original over this...but, for those who have trouble with antiquated literature, this does a good job of putting the long epic into easy to understand terms.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I could read the adult version of The Odyssey but this version is very entertainingly written and I enjoyed it very much.

[Savvy]

"Can you please tell me when your obsession with Greek mythology began?"
"Well, it all started when I was six and my mom brought home this book from the library...it all just went downhill from there. I started using Scylla and Charybdis metaphors all the time and I freaked out when scientists discovered a new dwarf planet and named it 'Circe'. 'Nobody' puns prevailed in my house, and then my dad began to read 'D'aulaires' Book of Greek Myths' before bed..."

[Kelley R.]

Reliving my childhood

[lanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i recommend the version with the dog on the cover

[Kaitlyn Lynch]

Had to catch up before the movie!

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember how I got this book - I wonder if it was a set with the PC game that I played over and over as a kid. For that possibility, I don't think I can give this book up. I don't think I can label it a favourite anymore just because it's still a kid's book, but I still love Wishbone, and I love the Odyssey story, or at least the 5% of the story that everyone knows. Maybe I'll love the prose version.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book first in 9th grade English, then again for a college class. It's not a whole lot more than a rousing adventure tale in a classical Greek setting with gods and heroes galore. My favorite part is Penelope's resourcefulness and my least favorite, Odysseus' egotism. Here's another classic everyone literate ought to be acquainted with--lots of allusions in our contemporary life!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Wishbone series/books but this was one of my favorites. I grew up with Wishbone and hope that younger generations can learn classic stories at an early age through him as well. I recommend it for young readers and old ones alike!

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great wishbone version of the classic, 6 year old was totally into it. While (obviously) a lot was cut out, the main themes and story points were included to give a solid basic, yet entertaining outline of the tale.

[Despond]

Wishbone Classic #02 Odyssey (Wishbone Classics) by Homer (1996)

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enriching read. Always good to hang out with the Greeks :)